Street King Read online

  One look around and a couple of people seemed a little taken aback. Did they all know him? She’d never heard of him until Emily mentioned him.

  Just as they got onto the floor, the DJ changed the song, telling people this was for lovers.

  Something wasn’t right. She didn’t know what it was, but it was there as he wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her close. He took her arms, placing them around the back of his neck.

  His rock-hard body was hard for her to ignore as it rubbed against her.

  She felt open, exposed, and in so much need it was unreal.

  The scent of something musky, spicy, and incredibly arousing clung to him. This man, so large, six feet if not a few inches taller, wanted to dance with her. This never happened in her world.

  It seemed almost too good to be true.

  One song led into another, and she didn’t want the dancing to stop. West didn’t run his hands down her body, grip her ass, or make any lewd comments, and yet she was turned on.

  “You’re good at this,” she said, needing some sound other than the slow beat of the romantic music that was playing.

  Only a few couples remained on the dance floor, and she noticed Emily wasn’t one of the couples.

  Resting her head against his chest, she closed her eyes and felt weird. This was all strange to her, but she wasn’t about to tell him how she felt.

  “I’ve had a lot of practice. You’re an easy dance partner.”

  “Your toes are all intact?”

  “Every single one of them. So, tell me, Hannah, how would you feel if I asked you out on a date?”

  “I’d be a little confused because you don’t know me,” she said.

  “That’s very true. I don’t know you. We’ve only just met.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. “Erm, I don’t know. I’m not very good at this. I’m not used to dancing with handsome men.”

  “You think I’m handsome?”

  “You know you are. A lot of women would love to be where I am.”

  His grip tightened around her waist. “No one would replace you.”

  How could she not swoon at that?

  She was loving this. A little more than she should.

  Chapter Three

  Finally, West had her in his arms and it felt fucking fantastic. Hannah was so sensual as she swayed to the beat of the music. He wondered if she knew she was turned on. Her tight nipples pressed against the front of her black cocktail dress, giving away her need. He happened to notice that every now and then, her legs would press together almost as if she was trying to stop her own arousal.

  Did she feel this connection with him still?

  Something had been happening before their rude interruption, and he was still fucking pissed about that. Fortunately, Rome and Cage had seen what was happening and they’d taken care of it.

  He’d also given the DJ instructions before coming here. The moment he went onto the dance floor with a woman, he was to change the music to that for lovers. He’d gotten a few curious looks, but no one dared to speak out against him.

  This was his fucking club, and right now he had the woman that he’d been taking care of in some way for the past five years. There was no way he was going to miss such an opportunity.

  After all of his careful planning this wasn’t how he imagined their first meeting to take place. He’d wanted it to be more random, but seeing her alone at the bar, looking so damn lost, he couldn’t help himself. Walking away hadn’t been an option.

  “Is there, like, an internet link or something for those lines?”

  He smiled. She thought he was using some line for how he felt. “No. These are all my own.”

  “They’re kind of awesome.”

  He adored her smile. She had a dimple in each cheek when she smiled, and she really was so beautiful.

  “You think my pickup lines are awesome?” he asked.

  “Yes. Come on, you can work on them some more.”

  “How about we go out to dinner and we’ll see which ones are good and bad?”

  “Dinner?”

  “Yes.”

  “I could eat now,” she said. She threw her head back and burst out laughing. “I can’t believe this, but I am starving. How about we go out now?”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes. I’ve just got to speak to Emily.”

  He didn’t want her to speak to Emily, but he followed her off the dance floor. He gave the signal to the DJ to continue with the fast beat music as they made their way to the bar. Emily was downing a shot as they approached. He would have to get Rome to look into her and to make sure she wasn’t taking anything.

  “Hey, honey,” Emily said.

  The smile she wore was forced, and he wanted to pull her up on it but couldn’t in their current situation.

  “Hey, so, you won’t believe this. This is West Gallo. West, this is my best friend and roommate, Emily.”

  “You’re the one that works for me?” he asked.

  She knew to play her part. “Yep. I work damn hard for you, sir.”

  “Where was that guy you were dancing with?” Hannah asked.

  “He wanted to head out, and as I followed him, I heard him making excuses to his wife. Not going to happen. There’s no way I’m ever going to be the kind of woman that breaks up a home.”

  “Damn, what a piece of work,” Hannah said.

  He was now bored and wanted to move on.

  Emily was not behaving appropriately.

  Pulling out his cell phone, he sent a quick message to Rome that after he left, he was to search Emily and give her a drug test. He knew it would test positive for alcohol, but he wanted to see what else she was on, if anything.

  Only the best people worked for him, and if Emily couldn’t get her head in the game, he didn’t have a place for her.

  “West and I are going to get something to eat. Would you like to come?” Of course Hannah would invite her.

  He turned his head from side to side letting Emily know the answer she had to say.

  “I’m quite tired, actually. I’m going to call it a night.” She got up and hugged Hannah. “You have fun. I’ll make sure not to lock the door for you.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll get one of my men to drive her home.” He nodded toward Rome and Cage, who came near.

  They knew their part, and when it came to Hannah, he had warned them to always wait for his instruction as to what to do.

  “Could you please see that Emily makes it home safely?”

  “Will do, boss,” Cage said.

  “Excellent. If that’s all.” He placed a hand at Hannah’s back and they made their way out of the club. A couple of people recognized him.

  His reputation always preceded him, but they had to know of his past as well as who he was.

  No one would ever accuse him of anything, nor would they bring up what he’d done for fear of that happening to them.

  He didn’t take bullshit lightly, and with Hannah, who didn’t have a clue about him, he was being extra cautious.

  The valet was already there with his car.

  “Here you go, sir.” The man got out of the car, and as he went to open Hannah’s door, West dismissed him.

  “I’ve got it from here, thank you.”

  He’d never picked a woman up in a bar. Besides Cage, Rome, and Emily, along with a few others in security, no one knew about his obsession with this woman.

  Helping Hannah into his car, he leaned in, strapping her into place. As the back of his hand rubbed against her breast, he heard her sudden intake of breath, almost like shock that he’d touched her.

  He didn’t give her any sign that he heard it or that he even noticed. Closing her door, he rounded the car, and climbed in behind the wheel. Strapping in, he turned the ignition over, and pulled away from the curb.

  “This is a really nice car,” she said.
r />   “I love the best.”

  She chuckled. Her hand ran across the chair, and she looked impressed. “I can tell. I don’t know the first thing about cars, but this is a pretty good one.”

  “I can afford it if that is what you’re asking.”

  “Oh, no, I don’t mean like that. I didn’t even think of the money. Wow, do I sound like a gold-digger or something?”

  “No, you’re perfectly fine.”

  The pill he’d slipped into her drink would be working soon. It was a concoction his lab had come up that was designed to make the person who took it relaxed. To let go of their inhibitions, but not too much.

  Hannah’s body was already starting to look more relaxed than when they’d been at the bar.

  “This is amazing,” she said.

  He watched as she pressed the button for the window to wind down, and she stuck her head out. There was no oncoming traffic, so he watched her.

  She let out a little squeal, and he found her reaction sweet.

  There was no way she would have done this without the little pill to help her loosen up. He felt a spark of guilt that he’d done that; that he’d given her something to help the start of their relationship.

  He’d been torn from the moment he was given the vial of pills that he asked for. Hannah was just so … closed off. She fought at every single turn, and conversation wasn’t easy for her. She always got nervous, and he didn’t want her to experience that with him. So, he’d given her a little something to help.

  Now though, he felt a little guilty.

  “Oh, wow, I cannot believe I just did that. I’ve always wanted to do it. Is that crazy? I saw it in a movie once, and it looked like so much fun. I remember telling my dad about it, and he totally freaked at me. Told me I’d get myself killed.” She scrunched up her face. “There was a lot he said would get me killed. I always had to be a good girl. A nice girl. You know.” She slapped a hand across her mouth. “There I go again. I can’t seem to be quiet.” She chuckled. “This is so much fun. So, tell me, West, how is Emily?”

  The sudden change of topic took him by surprise.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. I get the sense that she isn’t happy with me? I don’t think she likes hanging out with me. I saw the way she looked at you, West. I think she likes you. Do you like her?”

  He couldn’t fucking believe this.

  Gripping the steering wheel tightly, he counted to ten.

  “If I liked her, she’d be here in this car and you wouldn’t.”

  “You like me?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Wow, that is so cool.” She released a laugh. “I can’t believe I’m saying these things. Honestly, I’m not childish at all. Wait? How can you like me? You don’t even know me.” she asked.

  “I want to get to know you, Hannah.”

  “From meeting each other once?”

  “How do you think couples get along their entire lives? It starts with one meeting.”

  “Oh. yeah. Sorry. My bad. I just can’t seem to think straight, and I know I’m not myself right now. Something is confusing to me.”

  He took her hand, locking their fingers together. “It’s fine.”

  Even with the effects of the pill, he didn’t mind her rambling or her nerves. It was wonderful to hear her talk, and he felt like a fucking pussy because he was content to sit and listen to her just say words.

  Parking up outside of the city, he turned toward her, and he saw her eyes seemed to sparkle. Her stomach growled.

  “I am hungry.”

  “Me too. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. My head’s a little fuzzy right now.”

  “Come on, let’s get you some food.” The pill would last a couple of hours. Long enough for them to have some food before he had to take her home.

  As he climbed out of the car Hannah did the same, but the heels she wore were not cooperating with her.

  When he picked her up in his arms, she let out a laugh.

  “You can’t carry me.”

  “Oh, yes, I can.” He carried her toward the diner, and when they were just outside the door, he put her on her feet, banding an arm around her back.

  “Everything smells amazing,” she said.

  Opening the door, he entered the diner and nodded at the man working. This was one of the few diners he frequented, and they knew the drill. Not to ask questions. Not to stare. To leave him be whenever he was here.

  This was the first time he’d brought a woman with him. He wondered what they were all thinking.

  Taking a booth in the back, she sat down and pushed some of her hair off her face. He loved the length of her long locks, the way they cascaded around her and would look damn good spread out across his pillow every single night.

  The dress she wore molded to all of her voluptuous curves. She wasn’t a slender woman, not by any means. She had nice, big tits, a sizeable ass, and a rounded stomach. She would make an amazing mother, and the thought of her being swollen and heavily pregnant with his kid made his dick harden.

  “I feel the need for something greasy and really unhealthy. What about you?”

  “The same.”

  The waiter came to their table.

  “What can I get you folks?” he asked.

  “I’ll have the double decker cheeseburger, fries slathered with cheese, and a large chocolate shake. Is that okay?” she asked. “You’re not ready for closing?”

  “It’s certainly fine. We’re open all day.”

  “Awesome. It all smells amazing.”

  “I’ll have what she is having. Include some onion rings for me.”

  “Oh, can I have some of those? They sound so good,” Hannah said.

  The waiter took their order and left them alone.

  “This place is making me so hungry,” Hannah said. She tilted her head to one side. “You know, I’m sure I’ve seen you before somewhere. I don’t know where, but it’s the little things.”

  “You’ve seen me?” he asked. Of course he knew the answer to that. They’d met each other once before, twice before in fact.

  “Yes. It’s the little things that you do. Like when you held my hand.” She put her hand across the table, and he took it. “And you kissed it.”

  He pressed a kiss to her hand.

  “Yeah, exactly like that. I don’t know why I recognize it, but I do. Have you done that before?”

  “I’m sure if we’d met you’d remember.” No, she wouldn’t. He’d made sure of it.

  “It’s just so strange. I feel excited and equally terrified of you at the same time. I don’t even know you but I feel I want to know you. That I can trust you.” She once again shoved some hair off her face and let out a frustrated moan. “I really need to get this cut.” She lifted up some of her hair, and he shook his head.

  “Don’t cut your hair.”

  “Why not? It’s really irritating.”

  “Because I think it looks stunning, and one day I want it spread out across my pillow before I fuck you.”

  This caused her to lower her hair. “You mean that?”

  She wasn’t running away out of fear, so that was a plus.

  “One day, Hannah, you will realize there I don’t say anything that I don’t mean.”

  Their food came, and he watched as Hannah picked up her huge burger and tried to take a bite. He did the same, and he found himself having a lot of fun. It was stupid and goofy, but it was just the two of them. No one was watching them, and he could be open with her. Share this moment where he’d not been able to share all that many.

  He stole a couple of her fries as she stole a few onion rings from him, and they talked about absolutely nothing of any importance.

  Hannah giggled through some of his questions, and he loved how she came alive around him. He didn’t like that she was nervous around him or terrified. He’d work on that.

  By the time he got her in the car and he drove her toward her apartment, the p
ill would start to wear off. It would make her sleepy, almost as if she was in a dream.

  Pulling up outside of her building, he turned the ignition off, and she sighed. “I’m home.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I really had a lot of fun tonight. So much fun,” she said.

  She unstrapped her seatbelt, but rather than climb out, she shocked him as she moved to straddle him in his chair.

  “I feel like I’m in a dream right now and nothing makes any sense. I couldn’t do this awake, so I’m going to do it now.”

  Before he could stop her, she cupped his face and her lips pressed against his.

  She was inexperienced, but he didn’t mind that. In time, he’d show her exactly how to kiss.

  Running his hands down her back, he gripped her ass, and she moaned, rubbing herself against him as she did.

  She ran her tongue across his lips and then slumped in his arms. She passed out, and there in his car, he held her for a few seconds. Stroking her hair, he allowed himself to let go before he opened the door and carried her up to her room.

  ****

  Hannah’s mouth felt incredibly dry. Her head was pounding, and as she rolled over, she realized the pounding she heard wasn’t in her head. No, that was the front door. She lifted her head and opened her eyes.

  She was in her bedroom.

  Her bed was empty.

  She hadn’t brushed her teeth before bed. Her mouth tasted so horrible. She needed to use the bathroom and brush her teeth.

  Running a hand across her face, she realized she wasn’t wearing the dress she wore last night. She wore a shirt.

  She rolled back over so that she was on her back and sat up. One look in the mirror and she moaned. She looked like a monster had attacked her.

  Her long, brown locks were all matted, and she’d not showered from the night before.

  “Don’t cut your hair.”

  She’d been out last night with a man. Shit, everything was confusing to her.

  Climbing out of bed, she ran toward the shared bathroom that connected her and Emily’s bedroom.

  She stared at the mirror and Emily’s door wasn’t open, so she lifted up the nightshirt. There was no soreness so she was still a virgin. Her memories were vague.

  West.

  That had been his name.